HCA Ordered to Remove Mohammad Azharuddin’s Name from Uppal Stadium Stand
The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has been told to remove Mohammad Azharuddin’s name from the North Pavilion Stand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad. This decision came from Justice V Eswaraiah, the Ethics Officer and Ombudsman of the HCA, on Saturday. It followed a petition filed by a group called Lords Cricket Club. The ruling also stops the HCA from printing tickets with Azharuddin’s name on them in the future. The Ombudsman called the original decision to name the stand after Azharuddin a clear case of conflict of interest.
Why Was the Decision Made?
Justice Eswaraiah explained that Azharuddin, who was involved in the decision to name the stand after himself, acted beyond his authority. He said that no proper approval was given by the HCA’s General Body, which is a group that makes important decisions for the association. Because of this, the naming was seen as unfair and a way for Azharuddin to benefit himself. The Ombudsman stated, “The fact that there has been no approval or change to the decision by the General Body shows that Azharuddin went too far to favor himself. This is a clear case of conflict of interest.”
What Did the Petition Say?
The Lords Cricket Club, which filed the complaint, argued that naming the stand after Azharuddin was not legal or proper. They said the stand was originally called the “VVS Laxman Pavilion,” named after another famous cricketer from Hyderabad. The group claimed that changing the name to “Mohammad Azharuddin Stand” was done without following the right process. They called it a “high-handed” act, meaning it was done in a way that ignored rules and fairness. The petition asked the Ombudsman to undo the change and bring back the original name, “VVS Laxman Pavilion,” for all purposes, including signs and tickets.
🚨 AZHARUDDIN STAND REMOVAL. 🚨
– The HCA has been ordered to remove Mohammad Azharuddin’s name from the North Pavilion stand at the Uppal Stadium. No tickets will be printed with the name of Azharuddin as well. (Cricbuzz). pic.twitter.com/khmZua1bbt
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 20, 2025
What Was Wrong with the Renaming?
The complaint pointed out that the renaming was “illegal” and “arbitrary,” meaning it was done without a good reason or proper permission. The HCA’s General Body or Apex Council, which are responsible for making such decisions, did not approve the change. Instead, the decision seemed to be made on Azharuddin’s own authority, which raised concerns about fairness. The petition argued that the stand’s original name, honoring VVS Laxman, should not have been changed without a formal decision.
Now, the HCA must follow the Ombudsman’s orders. This means they will need to remove Azharuddin’s name from the North Pavilion Stand and stop using it on tickets or signs. The stand is expected to go back to being called the “VVS Laxman Pavilion.” The decision has sparked discussions among cricket fans, with some agreeing with the ruling and others feeling differently. A poll has even been created to ask the public, “Do you agree with the decision to remove Mohammad Azharuddin’s name from the North Pavilion Stand?”
Why Does This Matter?
This situation shows how important it is for organizations like the HCA to follow rules and make decisions fairly. Naming a stand after someone is a big honor, and it should be done with proper approval. The ruling also highlights the need to avoid conflicts of interest, where someone in power makes decisions that benefit themselves. For now, the HCA is expected to act quickly to make the changes and restore the stand’s original name.
